Benefits Adviser
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This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Benefits Adviser
West Kensington, London
£30,000 - £32,000 per year (salary open to discussion for candidates with significant relevant experience)
Permanent
Job Description
Company profile - Kinly
Kinly is a fast-growing social impact start-up with a mission to help older people live independently for longer. We are focused on the megatrend of ageing demographics, improving healthspan and helping to reduce the economic and social burden of ageing.
Kinly supports older people and their families to understand what support and allowances they are eligible for and then does all the complex forms/applications for them. By doing so, we unlock £5,000 a year per person on average, helping people to afford health/care support, physios, taxis, and at-home equipment.
A majority of older people are cut off from the support they need due to barriers to access – disability, low income, lack of internet or lack of family. We help people navigate a complex system and make ageing easier. Our services are free at the point of use, and fully accessible offline (using only a landline phone), but we use a lot of technology to deliver the service.
Kinly was founded by a previous unicorn founder (insure-tech) and ex-Managing Director of an AIM-listed healthcare company. The business is based in West London, with teams focused on Benefits, Customer Success, Tech and Operations. The business has a very senior advisory Board, including Government advisors and health and care leaders. Kinly’s Head of Benefits formerly lead a successful Information & Advice Service at Age UK, gaining two external Quality Marks under her leadership.
About the role
This is an exciting new role for someone with welfare benefits advice experience.
You will complete benefits checks and applications for our clients, their families and their carers. This includes providing support with Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance, Pension Credit, Carer’s Allowance, Council Tax and Housing Benefit applications.
What We Offer
Salary: £30,000 - £32,000 per year (some flexibility for discussion for candidates with significant relevant experience)
Hours: Full-time (Monday – Friday) + holiday
Contract: Permanent
Promotion: Opportunities for personal growth and promotions within the company
Perks: Free Nuffield gym membership
Location: West Kensington, London (future hybrid work arrangement possible)
Start date: As soon as possible
Main Responsibilities
Providing information and advice over the telephone to older people, their carers and relatives
Completing benefits checks and advising clients accurately and appropriately in relation to their welfare benefit and related entitlements
Completing benefit applications
Holistically exploring a client’s financial, health and care needs to fully understand and tailor support to their specific circumstances
Communicating with empathy, patience, and good listening skills
Presenting and discussing information with clients in an accessible way, enabling them to understand and make informed choices
Identifying and researching information using trusted resources.
Understanding how regional differences can affect benefit entitlement (e.g., Local Housing Allowance) and advise accordingly
Keeping secure, up-to-date, full and accurate records using Kinly’s systems
Reviewing completed forms and carrying out case checks to ensure quality
Upholding Kinly’s high standards of professionalism, and living up to our core values of “access for all”, trust and championing older people
Person specification
Knowledge of welfare benefits, including Personal Independence Payment, Pension Credit, Carer’s Allowance, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support, Attendance Allowance, Blue Badge
Recent experience of delivering information and advice on welfare benefits – particularly in relation to Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance and Blue Badge and Pension Credit
An understanding of, or interest in how different benefits impact each other (e.g., Carer’s Allowance and State Pension, Pension Credit and the Severe Disability Premium)
Knowledge of, or an interest in issues affecting older people including housing, transport, disability aids and adaptations, care assessment and funding, and community support
Desire to learn about benefits in different regions (e.g., Social Security Scotland)
Ability to work flexibly, independently, and as part of an energetic, driven and collaborative team in a very supportive and busy work environment
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with an ability to relate to people at all levels and from different cultural backgrounds
Attention to detail
Experience of working independently to prioritise work and meet deadlines
Willingness to participate in opportunities for training and professional development
Competent and efficient IT skills (Microsoft, Outlook, Excel, IOS)
Job Benefits
Casual work attire
Gym membership
On-site parking
We will consider all applications, but it would be really helpful if you could please attach a short cover letter outlining:
1) Your motivations for helping older people (50+)
2) Your level of experience in advising on benefits for older people (especially PIP, Attendance Allowance, Blue Badges, Pension Credit, Council Tax)
You'll see these questions above in the screening questions also - would be great to get a bit more than the CV here if possible here!
Non Charity Employer
21 - 50
Specialist support to help older people live independently.
